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C.J. aims to make start after avoiding concussion

C.J. Wilson has the ability to deliver 15 wins in 2014 following a 2013 campaign that saw him pitch 212 1/3 innings and tally 17 victories

By Alden Gonzalez
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MLB.com |

TEMPE, Ariz. -- If Pedro Martinez weren't so awesome, perhaps Yorvit Torrealba's line drive wouldn't have caught C.J. Wilson on the left side of the head on Tuesday.

"It's my fault," Wilson said Wednesday morning, when asked about the comebacker that drew blood but did not result in a concussion.

"I should've caught the ball. I made a bad pitch. I should've caught it. And that's the same thing I've been saying for years -- if I get hit, it's my fault. I catch plenty of line drives; I just didn't get a lot of sleep the night before. I was watching Pedro Martinez highlights on YouTube, trying to get amped up for my live-BP session. True story. So I got about four hours of sleep, and I just didn't have the reflexes I normally have."

Wilson feels perfectly fine now, and that's what's most important. He stayed away from most of the workouts on Wednesday, but plans to throw a bullpen session on Thursday and will start Saturday's game -- the Angels' second Cactus League contest -- if he comes out of it feeling good.

Upon being hit, Wilson sprung back to his feet, told everyone he was fine and wanted to throw the 10 pitches that remained in his session. But the 33-year-old southpaw was bleeding, the result of what was later deemed an abrasion, and left to undergo a precautionary CT scan.

"The real concern is my hair is OK," joked Wilson, a pitchman for Head & Shoulders. "You sign a hair contract, you really have to be careful about that kind of stuff."

Wilson wasn't pitching with the protective "L" screen in front of him because, as he said, "I can't throw strikes with an 'L' screen."

Most pitchers prefer not to utilize it because it creates a visual that throws them off. Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said the screen wouldn't have helped him anyway, since pitchers have to finish their delivery and have no time to hide behind the net to avoid a comebacker.

As for whether Wilson would consider wearing one of those protective caps that are now available for pitchers?